Growing in God - Part 3

A Story of Redemption and Movement

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

The story of the Bible (both Old and New Testaments) is a story of redemption and movement. Let me explain. When God looked down on our fallen state, he left his glorious realm and came down to this dark world in order to take our sins upon himself (Philippians 2:5-11). All this was to give us an opportunity to move from our sinful state and to be united with him through the cross (Romans 6:5-7), and now we are to be to take the same Gospel that has saved and redeemed us and put it one display for the world to see (Matthew 28:16-20). But not only that, we are to moving into ever increasing transformation (2 Corinthians 3:18). We find this idea demonstrated everywhere in the Bible.

The Example of Moses

In the story of the Moses found in Exodus, we see this clearly demonstrated. Moses came back to Egypt as a messenger of God to lead God's people to freedom. The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, and yet God used Moses to bring them to freedom and inhabit their own land to become a great people. This true story in scripture demonstrates the entirety of the Bible. This is just one of many examples that we see all throughout scripture that encapsulates the entire theme of God's word. We must never forget that they entire Bible points to the fact that God sent Christ to release us from slavery so we could become free from the chains of sin. The Bible is a story of redemption and movement.

Questions

What has God moved you from (your sins)?

If you continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of God, where do you see your life in 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year?

What are you doing to make sure you are continually moving in God's grace (be practical)?

Prayer

Lamentations 3:22-24

22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will hope in him." 25 The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. 26 It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Father, thank you for saving me and moving me from a place of sin to a place of righteousness. I ask that you help me to see your mercy and grace everyday. Continue to grow me in that grace everyday. Amen.